Held on the morning of the third Sunday of every month, the Takahashi River Basin “Kurashiki Sansai Market.”
The theme of this first event of the new year was “Food Truck Day.” With many food vendors taking part, I thought I might be able to sample a variety of things, so I went along to check it out.
Here’s a report on everything from regular vendors to activities for children.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in February 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Takahashi River Basin “Kurashiki Sansai Market”?
The Takahashi River Basin “Kurashiki Sansai Market” is held to promote local production for local consumption, featuring fresh vegetables and fruit, processed foods, and crafts from Okayama Prefecture and the Takahashi River Basin, and to contribute to the promotion of the “Takahashi River Basin Intermunicipal Cooperation and Central Urban Area Initiative.”
The venue is in and around the shopping district in front of JR Kurashiki Station, and the market is generally held on the “third Sunday of every month, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.”
I visited the event held on Sunday, January 21, 2024.
A visit to the Kurashiki Sansai Market
I arrived at the shopping district in front of JR Kurashiki Station, the venue, at around 8:30 a.m.
It was a midwinter morning, and the event had only just opened, but the venue was already bustling with people.
At “Furuichi Nakamise,” known for Bukkake udon, taiyaki and fuman (obanyaki) are made and sold at the shopfront to coincide with the Sansai Market, and customers were constantly coming to buy them.
Nakayama Meat Shop Co., Ltd. usually sells Chiyagyu Beef skewers near the entrance to the shopping district.
Drawn in by the delicious smell of grilling meat, I stopped by.
The tender meat and the way the fat melts in your mouth are superb.
Now, let me introduce some of the vendors that caught my eye.
Kurashiki Ablaze
The women’s volleyball team “Kurashiki Ablaze” is based in Kurashiki.
Founded in 2019, the team competes across Japan in the V.League.
In addition to official merchandise, the players were selling Japanese sweets.
I bought “Abu-chan’s Paw Pads,” shaped like cat paws, and the limited-edition “Fresh Chocolate Daifuku” to take home.
I heard that home games are free to attend, so I’d like to go watch a match when the timing works out.
Bisei no Kunseiya
I stopped by, tempted by the samples.
Smoked foods may sound like they have a strong flavor, but these are smoked using hickory (walnut) chips and have a mild, easy-to-enjoy taste.
I bought “Cheese-kun” (smoked cheese), but I also enjoyed the “Tamago-kun” (smoked egg) sample, so I’d like to buy some next time.
Shooting Gallery
There was a nostalgic shooting gallery in the shopping district’s Bios Ikoi Plaza.
My child wanted to try it, so we bought a ticket at the information booth. It was good value, with five practice shots and five shots in the actual game.
As for the result… we won a participation prize, but I think we had plenty of fun.
Maybe next time we’ll be able to aim for the smaller targets, too.
From the Writer
It had been a while since I last visited the Kurashiki Sansai Market, and there were vendors and products I was seeing for the first time. I was glad I’d gotten up early and braved the cold.
It reminded me once again how wonderful it is to do business where you can see the faces of the people who make the products.
There was also a capsule toy machine near the entrance to the shopping district as an event for preschoolers.
There was a stamp-rally-style card, and bringing it along let children try once (a stamp is added to the space for the month they participated).
The next event will be held on “February 18, 2024 (Sunday), from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.”
The theme is “ALL Basin Day.” For details, check the “Kurashiki Sansai Market website.”
Takahashi River Basin “Kurashiki Sansai Market” Information
| Name | Takahashi River Basin “Kurashiki Sansai Market” |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, January 21, 2024 8:00–11:00 a.m. *Generally held on the third Sunday of every month |
| Location | Shopping district in front of JR Kurashiki Station and surrounding area |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Takahashi River Basin “Kurashiki Sansai Market” |
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